Honour Based Violence and Abuse

Honour Based Violence and Abuse is carried out in the name of protecting family honour and because the perpetrator believes that the victim has brought shame to the family or community.

1. Definition and Overview

1.1 The National Police Chief Council (NPCC) have provided guidance and a definition of honour based abuse, it states that HBA is:

1.2 ‘an incident or crime involving violence, threats of violence, intimidation, coercion or abuse (including psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse), which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of an individual, family and or community for alleged or perceived breaches of the family and / or community’s code of behaviour’.

1.3 Such violence can occur when perpetrators perceive that a relative has shamed the family and / or community by breaking their honour code. For young victims it is a form of child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights’ can be distinguished from other forms of violence, as it is often committed with some degree of approval and/or collusion from family and/or community members. Women, men and younger members of the family as well as community members can all be involved in the abuse.

1.4 According to the Crown Prosecution Service many different societies believe in the honour code. It is difficult to estimate how many crimes take place yearly in the UK. Worldwide it is estimated that there are 5000 honour killings a year. In the UK, it is believed that figure is approximately 10 to 15 murders a year. In some cultures, ‘forced suicide’ is used as a substitute for an honour killing.

1.5 Unlike domestic abuse where it is typically one person abusing another, in cases of HBA and the perpetrators can be one or many including:

  • Father and mother
  • Brother and sister
  • Grandparents
  • Uncles, aunts, cousins
  • Community members
  • bounty hunters/’hit men’

1.6 Abuse that takes place may include:

  • False imprisonment or kidnap
  • Domestic Servitude
  • ABH or GBH
  • Threats to kill
  • Harassment and stalking
  • Sexual assault
  • Rape
  • Female Genital Mutilation
  • Forced to commit suicide
  • Forced Marriage
  • Murder
  • Human Trafficking
  • Child Abuse
  • Disfigurement
  • Burning
  • Perverting the Course of Justice
  • Coercive control
  • Modern slavery
  • Sham marriage

1.7 For every crime committed there are also numerous incidents of bullying, emotional and psychological abuse. Some victims have very restricted movements and are under constant supervision having little contact with the outside world.

 

2. The 'One Chance Rule'

2.1 All practitioners working with victims of honour based violence need to be aware of the 'one chance' rule. That is, they may only have one chance to speak to a potential victim and thus they may only have one chance to save a life. This means that all practitioners working within statutory agencies need to be aware of their responsibilities and obligations when they come across these cases. If the victim is allowed to walk out of the door without support being offered, that one chance might be wasted.

 

3. Prevalence

3.1 There are approximately 17,000 reported incidents of HBA or forced marriage in the UK each year with at least 12 murders in the name of honour occurring each year in the UK. However, as HBA is a hidden crime with victims often unable or unwilling to come forward, it is difficult to fully determine the prevalence of HBA crimes within the UK and across Tees. One of the reasons for this is recording/classification/distinction of HBA and domestic violence is not clearly articulated due to a lack of awareness.

 

4. Potential HBA Trigger Events/Behaviours

  • Rejecting an arranged / forced marriage
  • Interfaith and inter-race relationships / relationship with someone that is not accepted by family
  • Elopement
  • Renouncing a faith / changing religion
  • Loss of virginity
  • Sex or pregnancy outside of marriage
  • Abortion
  • Coming out as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)
  • Expressions of autonomy
  • The existence of a boyfriend/girlfriend
  • Adultery
  • Leaving a spouse or seeking a divorce
  • A refusal to divorce when ordered to do so by family members
  • Being to ‘westernised’ – Inappropriate make-up or dress, kissing or being intimate in a public place
  • Reporting rape (being raped may be deemed a bring disgrace to the family)
  • Reporting domestic abuse
  • Rejecting the practice of FGM
  • Running away
  • Causing gossip
  • Choosing a career route that is not accepted by family/community
  • Smoking in public
  • Inappropriate make up or dress
  • Objection to being removed from education
  • Truanting
  • Interfaith relationship

 

5. Signs to Look For

  • The victim or family come from a community where the idea of ‘Honour’ is culturally embedded.
  • There may feel like an element of ‘surveillance’ and control by the family or community members. In the case of adults, this might present where the victim is routinely accompanied to and from a place of work or other meetings or appointments for example doctors. In children or young people, they may be driven to and from school, not able to walk or travel on public transport with friends.
  • They might field a high number of phone calls from family members or their spouse. They may look uncomfortable taking the calls, quiet and withdrawn afterwards.
  • There may be noticeable levels of absenteeism, lateness – school, college or employment.
  • Significant personality changes may become evident. He/she may appear and behave depressed, withdrawn, anxious or suicidal.
  • There may be noticeable deterioration in the victim’s appearance, a lack of grooming.
  • Physical injuries apparent, often frequent injuries, with the victim explaining them away as ‘accidental’.
  • They may dress unusually to disguise bruises or injuries i.e. neck scarf in hot weather.
  • Victims with insecure immigration status may not have access to public funds and have reduced access to services and therefore suffer social isolation.
  • Communication difficulties speaking/reading English. Consideration must be given to the appropriate use of interpreters rather than family/community members who may be perpetrators.
  • Loyalties to abusers; victims may love their parents and relatives and not want to see them prosecuted.
  • Malicious allegations may be made against victims and culture and religion may be used as an excuse for violence against them.
  • Repeat victims. Victims may also have been threatened by someone else and/or live in fear e.g. Head of the family, brothers.

 

6. Disclosure and Response

6.1 For a child to report to any agency that they have fears of honour-based violence in respect of themselves or a family member requires a lot of courage, and trust that the professional/agency they disclose to will respond appropriately. Children may not describe it as honour based abuse or may not even recognise that it is abuse themselves. Under no circumstances should the agency allow the child’s family or social network to find out about the disclosure, so as not to put the child at further risk of harm.

6.2 Authorities in some countries may condone the practice of honour-based violence, and the child may be concerned that other agencies share this view, or that they will be returned to their family. The child may be carrying guilt about their rejection of cultural/family expectations. Furthermore, their immigration status may be dependent on their family, which could be used to dissuade them from seeking assistance.

6.3 When receiving a disclosure from a child, professionals should recognise the seriousness/immediacy of the risk of harm. Any suspicion or disclosure of violence or abuse against a child in the name of honour should be treated equally seriously as any other suspicion or disclosure or significant harm against a child. However, there are significant differences in the immediate response required. Assessing the needs of the individual is key, as victims of honour-based violence will require a tailored response dependent on a number of factors including language and cultural barriers, how long they have been in the country, their social and family networks and their economic circumstances

6.4 Where there is a disclosure of suspicion of honour-based violence, staff in all agencies/organisations should:

  • Take the disclosure seriously.
  • See the child or young person immediately, and in a secure and private place;
  • See the child or young person on their own.
  • Complete a family tree, so that you understand their family network and any other people who may be at risk.
  • Explain to the child or young person the limits of confidentiality, what information may have to be shared, with whom and for what purpose.
  • Ask direct questions to gather enough information to make a referral to Children’s Social Care and the Police, including recording the child / young person’s wishes.
  • Agree a means of discreet future contact with the child / young person.
  • Explain that a referral to Children’s Social Care and Cleveland Police will be made.
  • Encourage and/or help the child to complete a personal risk assessment.
  • Develop an emergency safety plan with the child.
  • Staff in all agencies should make full records of any conversation with the young person and ensure that they complete an accurate account of what is said.
  • For children 16+ Referring agencies should make an assessment of risk of harm using a dedicated assessment tool e.g. DASH.

Key Points to consider:

6.4.1 Continual assessment and review is paramount as circumstances can change very quickly, for example, following disclosure to the police the risks to the victim and others who are supporting the victim may increase.

6.4.2 Young people may face significant harm if their families/communities realise that they have asked for help. All aspects of their safety need to be carefully assessed at every stage. Initially this needs to address whether it is safe for them to return home following a disclosure. The young person will need practical help such as accommodation and financial support, as well as emotional support and information about their rights and choices.

6.4.3 Some families go to considerable lengths to find their children who run away, and young people who leave home are at risk of significant harm if they are returned to their family. They may be reported as missing by their families, but no mention is made of the reason. It is important that practitioners explore the underlying reasons before any decisions are made.

6.4.4 As part of the ICPC process, it is important to consider the sharing of information to parents who do not accept HBA is an issue/concern. It is also recommended the specialist BAME provider is not named for their own safety and confidentiality.

6.5 Others in the Household - In cases of violence in the name of honour and of forced marriage, it is essential to consider other siblings in the family that may be experiencing, or at risk of, the same abuse. This should also include whether the young person has their own child and whether a referral needs to be made in relation to his/her safety. 

6.6 It is vital that the following points are adhered to for the safety of the child or young person:

  • Under no circumstances should the agency allow the child’s family or social network to find out about the disclosure, so as not to put the child at further risk of harm;
  • Under no circumstances speak to victims in the presence of their relatives;
  • Under no circumstances approach the family or community leaders, share any information with them or attempt any form of mediation. In particular, members of the local community should not be used as interpreters.

6.7 Involving families in cases of forced marriage is dangerous: It may increase the risk of serious harm to the victim. Experience shows that the family may punish them for seeking help. Involving the family includes visiting the family to ask them whether they are intending to force their child to marry or writing a letter to the family requesting a meeting about their child's allegation that they are being forced to marry.

 

7. Disclosure about adults at risk of honour based abuse

7.1 Adults affected by honour based abuse or violence should be reviewed under the safeguarding adults at risk process but any adult assessment must address any potential risk of honour based abuse or violence to any other women or female children living in the family as well as the extended family network.

How to Report Adult Abuse

 

8. Social Care and Police Response

8.1 Following a SAFER referral being made to children’s social care a Strategy Meeting should be held.

Working Together 2018: under section 47 of the Children Act 1989, where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that a child (who lives or is found in their area) is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, it has a duty to make such enquiries as it considers necessary to decide whether to take any action to safeguard or promote the child’s welfare. Such enquiries, supported by other organisations and agencies, as appropriate, should be initiated where there are concerns about all forms of abuse, neglect. This includes female genital mutilation and other honour based violence, and extra-familial threats including radicalisation and sexual or criminal exploitation

8.3 The strategy meeting will include representatives from agencies involved with the young person and this would include children's services, health, police and education as an example. It is important that the person who has identified the concern is available to attend this meeting. The strategy meeting allows all information to be shared and safeguarding actions to be put in place.

8.4 All multi-agency discussions should recognise the police responsibility to initiate and undertake a criminal investigation as appropriate following the Tees Strategy Discussion Procedures 

8.5 In addition the following should be considered:

  • Agreeing, in particular, how the child's wishes and feelings will be ascertained so that they can be taken into account when making decisions.
  • Plan any intervention, including any medical examinations, with consideration of the cultural factors such as the significance it has in terms of cultural identity.
  • The need for immediate protection and placement away from the family/extended family/community.
  • Consider taking legal advice as to the options for protection available.
  • Consider the need for enquiries to be made about the risks to other children in the family i.e. siblings, cousins or the community.

8.6 Multi-agency planning should consider the need for providing suitable safe accommodation for the child, as appropriate.

8.7 If a child is taken abroad, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office may assist in repatriating them to the UK.

8.8 Once Police record is created the job will be locked so that there is only authorised access to investigations relating to honour based abuse. It should not be underestimated the lengths that family and community may go to seek out information about disclosures. This can include calling and impersonating professional agencies and requesting the information.

8.9. All agencies are to make arrangements for the child’s record to be restricted.

 

9. Legal action

9.1 For details on Forced Marriage Protection Order see: Forced Marriages

9.2 Duty to refer – Female Genital Mutilation: Section 5B of the 2003 Act introduces a mandatory reporting duty which requires regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report ‘known’ cases of FGM in under 18s which they identify in the course of their professional work to the police. The duty applies from 31 October 2015 onwards.

 

10. Child Protection Process

The Child Protection Process

 

11. Working with Interpreters

11.1 When using interpreters careful consideration must be given to whether the interpreter is likely to know the young person and their family or friends. Relatives, friends, community leaders and neighbours should not be used as interpreters in case they are linked to the group suspected of carrying out the crime - despite any reassurances from this known person. When an interpreter is arranged their name must be shared with the young person to avoid any conflict of interest preventing them from feeling able to make a disclosure.

 

12. Children who stay or return to their families

12.1 Children and young people who stay or return to their families should be offered support including escape plans, the option to deposit their DNA, passport number, finger prints and photograph with the Police.

 

13. MARAC

13.1 If the young person is 16 years or over it will be appropriate to risk assess them using the DASH Risk Identification Checklist (also known by the Police as a Public Protection Notice) and, if they are found to be at high risk of serious harm or homicide, to refer them to the Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC).

 

14. Useful links & resources (on this website):

 

15. Further Guidance: